Seattle hosts first World Cup Qualifier in nearly 40 years today

SEATTLE -- The international soccer world has descended on Seattle, as the city gets set to host its first World Cup Qualifier match in more than three decades. The U.S. Men's National Team will face Panama Tuesday night at Centurylink Field.

The stage couldn't be better set for Tuesday's match.

The U.S. team is hot off a massive victory Friday over Jamaica, where Seattle Sounders' own Brad Evans hit the game-winning goal in the 90th minute.

The win placed the U.S. in a three-way tie with Mexico and Costa Rica at the top of their group. However, the squad's next two home matches are key for the team to secure their position in World Cup Qualifying.

This is only the second time that a qualifier has been held in the Emerald City (On Oct. 20, 1976, the U.S. beat Canada 2-0 at the Kingdome), and with three critical three points on the line, the squad is trilled to be playing it here.

"I'm good friends with Eddie Johnson and he always tells me about what its like playing here and playing in front of the fans and just how it's an atmosphere that's comparable to what it is in Europe. It's great to see that the game is building and that there are markets like this, that people have so much passion for the game. I almost felt like I was in another country the other day when the Seattle Sounders game was on. So happy to play here and look forward to the game and feeling what that atmosphere will be like," said U.S. Men's National Team captain Clint Dempsey.

Adding to the match excitement will be Sounders' Brad Evans and Eddie Johnson, who are both expected to play in the Qualifier. This gives local soccer fans an added bonus and puts the Seattle team in the spotlight once again.

Tickets are still available. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.